Feature Article – The Importance of a Quality Manager

QM Manager Stock ImageOver the 23 years ley hill solutions has been in business, we have seen a variety of approaches to Quality Management Systems operations, but principally they are overseen by the Quality Manager. The Quality Manager is a key stakeholder in any organisation implementing general compliance regulations or excellence standards, whether that be through the manufacture of goods or the delivery of services to its customers.

A successful Quality Manager will have a particular set of skills, enabling them to understand the detailed complexities of their organisation. Together with getting to grips with the everyday functions at a ground level, they will need to have the skills to understand how this will affect the bigger picture and drive their business forward. Implementing a robust framework that will highlight non-conformities, together with a structure that will effectively address and remove them, will propel a business toward continuous improvement.

Liaising with personnel within the organisation is probably one of the most difficult aspects of theQM Role Image Quality Manager’s role. Most often the key decisions on Quality Management lie with the senior leadership team. From experience we know that this can sometimes cause delays, therefore getting their support for the project is crucial and, in turn, this will show that the organisation is serious about quality and standards.

Ensuring all employees understand that a robust Quality System will benefit them in the medium to long term is also essential, and a good Quality Manager will want to find workable and seamless solutions to facilitate this.

In an ever-changing global environment, a Quality Manager will need an understanding of how such changes will impact the procedures and systems within their organisation. Some of the most challenging in recent years have been the impact of Brexit and Covid. A Quality Manager will be tasked to ensure new and updated legislation and standards relating to their Quality Management System are revised and implemented accordingly.  In recent times, ley hill solutions has supported many Quality Managers adjust their Business Continuity plans in the aftermath of Covid.

Quality Management in a Small Business

Of course, not all organisations can have a dedicated Quality Manager. Many of the businesses we work with are small, so an individual – or even the company owner – will take on the tasks involved in implementing a Quality Management System.  ley hill solutions has helped many such organisations in this position.

We understand that a small business will have to approach the Quality Management process differently. Generally, small businesses are less resilient to external environmental and economic factors, and thus require a more agile approach to process management. In addition, they will be more heavily shaped by time and money limitations. ley hill solutions has taken on the Quality Manager’s tasks for such organisations via an ongoing support agreement, allowing them to benefit from a Quality Management System delivering ongoing improvement yet providing the flexibility needed.

Quality Management Training

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We can help a Quality Manager require several of the necessary competencies to guide an organisation through its Quality Management endeavours. As a BSI Affiliate member, ley hill solutions can provide access to the most up-to-date courses offered by BSI to help your business on its Quality Management journey. For in-depth training, the BSI Lead Auditor training course equips an individual with the techniques required to plan, carry out, measure and follow up an ISO 9001:2015 audit.

ley hill solutions also provides organisations with tailored training solutions to fit their unique business needs. Please contact us at  if you require any further information or click here to visit our training page.